The COP15 Conference in Copenhagen has started a growing interest in the clean energy technologies sector. Especially the role of patents in the development and transfer of clean energy technologies to address climate change has been hotly debated in the lead-up to the 15th COP15 Conference. Despite increased research and analysis in this field, there is still a lack of empirical data for informed and objective decision-making.

To help bridge the gap between evidence and policy, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the European Patent Office (EPO) and the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development (ICTSD) have conducted a joint study to develop a methodology providing a solid platform for analysing the role of patents in the development and transfer of clean energy technologies, with a view to feeding the findings into ongoing international talks.

The study consists of three interdependent steps. Step one constitutes technology mapping aimed at identifying the technologies relevant for patent landscaping. Step two constitutes patent landscaping and analysis which show that, compared to technologies using fossil fuel energy, there has been a marked increase in patenting activity in clean energy technologies over the past few years, and that the patenting activity in all relevant technologies appears to be dominated by Japan, Germany, Korea, France, the UK and the USA. Step three constitutes a global survey of the practices of leading companies and organisations with regard to the licensing of clean energy technologies. The aim is to achieve a better understanding of the factors behind technology transfer.

The partner organisations will present their methodology and some of the preliminary findings at a side event on the final day of the Copenhagen Climate Change Conference (18 December, Room 3). A full report on the findings is not due until the first half of 2010.

Yet, while Europe is still analysing these issues, the US has already taken action with a new initiative to promote green technology. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) will pilot a program to accelerate the examination of certain “green” technology patent applications. This means that pending patent applications in green technologies will be eligible to be accorded special status and given expedited examination, and thereby cutting of up to one year of the time it usually takes to patent these technologies.  Earlier patenting of these technologies enables inventors to secure funding, create business, and bring vital green technology into use much sooner.

The effective date for the program is December 8 and it will run for 12 months. This means that applicants interested in accelerated examination of their clean tech inventions at the USPTO now have their chance for a limited period of time. The program may be extended depending on its effectiveness and feedback.

You can learn more about clean tech here and about the study at http://www.epo.org/topics/news/2009/20091125.html . If you wish to learn more about the details of the USPTO pilot programme you can find information at the USPTO’s website: http://www.uspto.gov or via the Federal Register: http://www.uspto.gov/patents/law/notices/2009.jsp